Pakistan, Saudi Arabia, Turkey ink key defence deal amid Middle East tensions

Pakistan, Saudi Arabia and Turkey on Friday signed the Mecca Joint Defence Agreement, a new security pact aimed at expanding defence cooperation among the three countries amid the ongoing conflict in the Middle East.

The agreement was signed in Saudi Arabia during a meeting attended by Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif.

The pact outlines a framework for closer military coordination and collective security at a time of heightened regional tensions.

Collective defence at the core

One of the key provisions of the agreement is a collective defence clause under which an armed attack on any one of the three countries will be treated as an attack on all of them.

Confirming the development, Pakistan's Foreign Ministry said, "The Agreement is intended to strengthen collective deterrence against any act of aggression, and stipulates that any armed attack against any one of the three States shall be regarded as an attack against them all. It further provides for the enhancement of all aspects of defence cooperation among the three States."

The statement said the agreement is aimed at strengthening deterrence while expanding cooperation across different areas of defence.

Focus on security cooperation

The signing comes as security concerns remain high across West Asia, with several countries closely monitoring the evolving regional situation.

While the three nations have maintained defence ties in the past, the new agreement seeks to formalise and deepen that cooperation through a common security framework.

The announcement highlights a commitment to closer military coordination and broader defence collaboration among Pakistan, Saudi Arabia and Turkey as regional developments continue to shape strategic partnerships.